Seth Meyers’ Animated Superhero Series THE AWESOMES

Superheroish?

THE AWESOMES (A HULU Original Series) is an animated show for adults that combine the thrills of comic book storytelling with the same irreverent and inspired comedy that is the hallmark of its show co-creators. Seth Meyers, who garnered five Emmy nominations for his work as a writer on Saturday Night Live (SNL) will continue to charm audiences with his experiences in improvisation and comedy writing. Emmy-winning producer Michael Shoemaker (Late Night with Jimmy Fallon) who began his tenure at SNLin 1986 as a production assistant brings more than 25-years of comedy experience to The Awesomes.

It is the story about the greatest superhero team in history, The Awesomes, and what happens after all the most powerful members leave. The team is led by the possibly under-qualified Professor Doctor Awesome, voiced by Meyers, who is determined to bring these funny-if-flawed superheroes to glory. Meyers and Shoemaker called upon their many friends in the comedy world to voice the characters, including some of SNL’s most celebrated cast and alumni Kenan Thompson, Bill Hader, and Taran Killam.

A little background on the character history, or the world according to Mr. Awesome: “The Awesomes” were founded in the 1940s by Mr. Awesome, the first and greatest superhero. He put together a team of the best and the brightest, and kept the team going for 70 years, always adding new members and training them to be part of “America’s Greatest Superhero Team.”

• Professor “Doctor” Awesome (voiced by Meyers), code name PROCK, who is without any awesome powers–so he injures himself a lot.
• Harry Strong aka MUSCLEMAN (voiced by Ike Barinholtz), is super-strong, but very dumb. The Team knows this because every superhero is “tested” for intelligence on a scale of 1 – 10. Anyone scoring lower than “1” cannot legally use his powers. Muscleman is a 1.05.
• Zip Danger aka FRANTIC (voiced by Taran Killam) is a red-necked super-speedster obsessed with celebrity.
• GADGET GAL (voiced by Paula Pell) was an original member of the AWESOME team back in the 40s. She reminds me of my own Mom because she uses an assortment of household items found in her purse to fight crime. A spatula, hair spray, an electric fan, breath mints—all are lethal weapons in my Mom’s, I mean, Gadget Gal’s hands.
• Austin Sullivan aka THE IMPRESARIO (voiced by Kenan Thompson), was an ordinary kid from the suburbs of Atlanta who found a magic purple jewel that allows him to bring his thoughts to life. Which is okay, however, Sullivan has huuuuuge mom issues. So he often creates purple versions of his domineering, but loving mother.
• Tim* aka SUMO (voiced by Bobby Lee) is an 11-year old Japanese-American boy. In the familiar disposition of The Hulk, when angry he transforms into a Sumo, a raging giant with unstoppable power.
• HOTWIRE (voiced by Rashida Jones) has electrical powers and can short-crrcuit and control electronic equipment in addition to hot-wiring things.
• CONCIERGE (voiced by Emily Spivey) is the team assistant. Her special “power” is knowing what you need when you need it.

*Of course there is an assortment of bad guys who are also “awesome,” however, I must reserve discussing them. I don’t want to ruin the surprise.
*Everyone knows that Tim is way too young to be on a superhero team, but he is also way too powerful to NOT be on a superhero team.